AP PhotoAustin Daye scored a career-high 22 points in the Pistons' loss to the Timberwolves.

It was never going to be labeled an instant classic, but through three quarters, the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves were engaged in a competitive and fun basketball game.

At the time, the game had seen seven ties, two lead changes and a boatload of scoring as the Timberwolves held an 89-85 lead.

But the fourth quarter was a contrast in styles, where the Timberwolves pushed the pace and picked apart the Pistons with dribble penetration in the half-court while Detroit opted to settle for jump shots. The Timberwolves' strategy proved far more effective as they pulled away for an easy win, 116-105.

Minnesota entered the game with a 14-47 record and a dismal 4-25 mark on the road. So you can add this one to a lengthy list of bad losses this season.

The Pistons shot 29.2 percent (7-24) in the final quarter, missing all nine of their three-point attempts. Austin Daye, Rip Hamilton and Ben Gordon were particularly awful during the stretch, shooting a combined 3-14 from the floor.

The loss, and fourth-quarter shooting woes, overshadowed an otherwise stellar performance by Daye, who finished the game with a career-high 22 points.

Beyond scoring, Daye also played quality defense on Michael Beasley, who came into the game averaging just under 20 points per game.

Daye used his length to contest Beasley's jumpers and slow his attempts to attack the rim off the dribble. When Beasley tried to post up, Daye pulled the chair twice, forcing turnovers on both occasions.

But Daye, like his teammates couldn't find the bottom of the basket in the fourth quarter. He also committed four of the Pistons' 13 fourth-quarter fouls, as Minnesota earned a staggering 21 free throws in the frame.

Stuckey making a case for another shot at point guard

Rodney Stuckey has had two and a half seasons to prove he should be the Pistons' starting point guard of the future, but there was a reason coach John Kuester gave the job to Tracy McGrady back in January.

But with McGrady temporarily out of the rotation, Stuckey has been handed the ball-handling reigns once again. In three games, despite flashing some of his old flaws, he has shown significant improvement in the role.

In the games he's averaged 21.3 points, 7.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds.

Against Minnesota, Stuckey scored 11 points, dished out 10 assists, and showed superior decision-making skills throughout the night. He kept his head up as he penetrated the lane all night, allowing him to take advantage of Minnesota's help-side defenders' positioning. This resulted in several excellent dump-off passes to teammates for easy baskets.

When Stuckey did opt to shoot, which was rare on this night, he never put his head down and bulled his way to the rim. Instead, he was more apt to utilize a jump stop and pull up for for a short jumper in the lane.

These are signs of maturation, but it's too early to label it a trend. There are still 19 games left, and with the Pistons' playoff hopes finally put to bed, the team should give Stuckey one last long look at point guard before the offseason.

Odds are high that the Pistons retain Stuckey, a restricted free agent, but knowing whether they want to keep him playing point going forward could alter how they approach the draft and free agency.

Bynum and Gordon's eaten alive by opposing point guards

Ben Gordon has never been a good defender, but when you can't stay in front of Luke Ridnour, it's a problem. The Timberwolves starting point guard, known more for his ability to spot up for a jumper than to drive the lane and attack the rim, had far too easy of a time taking Gordon off the dribble. He finished with 15 points on a perfect shooting night (5-5 FG, 5-5 FT).

Ridnour's backup, Jonny Flynn, actually had the better night, dishing out a career-high 14 assists in 30 minutes off the bench. His previous best was nine.

Will Bynum, who was checking Flynn while he racked up the majority of his assists, had trouble staying in front of the speedster. Flynn effectively pushed the basketball off of Piston misses, and when forced to play in the half-court, utilized on-the-ball screens to get separation from Bynum, draw double-teams, and find an open teammate.

The Pistons put Stuckey on Flynn for the final six minutes of the game and he didn't pick up another assist. Taking advantage of the fact that Flynn is a poor three-point shooter, Stuckey went underneath on Minnesota's ball screens, neutralizing Flynn's speed by cutting off his path to the basket.